Casket lining means



Aug. 8. 1967 I -J. L. WHITE 3,334,392

CASKET LINING MEANS Filed Jan. 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR 49 v IBY Jo/zrzLW/zzi Aug. 8. 1967 J. L. WHITE 3,334,392

CASKET DINING MEANS Filed Jan. 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5/ Z 'INVENTOR,JJmZ. 77/2413, W JMM, r444 W/*W United States Patent 3,334,392 CASKETLININ G MEANS John L. White, Knightstown, Ind., assignor to JacwilMfrs., Knightstown, Ind., a partnership Filed Jan. 4, 1965, Ser. No.422,916 13 Claims. (Cl. 27-19) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A liningconstruction for a casket casing having a floor and four side walls,each of the side walls terminating in its added upper edge in aninwardly-formed lip defining an inverted elongate channel recess havinginterior side surfaces and an interior upper surface. The interiorlining construction includes at least one interior side wall panelpreferably of corrugated paperboard with the corrugations extendingtransversely of the panel and prefabricated to include an integral uppermarginal flange which is transversely engaged between the interior sidesurfaces of one of the elongate channel recesses. Lining fabric overlaysat least a portion of the interior panel and is fastened to the upperflange of the panel so as to be disposed in part between the upperflange and the upper interior surface of the channel recess. Theconstruction further includes means anchoring the bottom region of theinterior side wall panel with respect to the casket casing incooperating with the channel recess to maintain the interior side wallpanel in spaced, substantially parallel orientation with respect to theadjacent casket casing side wall. For this purpose the interior sideWall panel preferably includes a bottom integral marginal flange whichis anchored by an interior floor unit disposed atop of the bottomflange.

This invention relates to casket interior construction and in particularto lining means for casket interiors.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide lining meansfor casket interiors which enables the effect of costly interiorupholstering to be achieved by unskilled labor.

-It is another object of the present invention to provide lining meansfor casket interiors which may be mass produced and easily and quicklyinstalled.

It is another object of the present invention to eliminate the need forinterior framing necessary for interior casket upholstering, and topresent a neat, uncluttered interior.

Briefly described, the casket lining means of the present inventioncomprises four rectangular panels, preferably fabricated of corrugatedpaper board, to serve as the four interior lining panels of the casket.Each of the rectangular panels is provided with an integral upper flangeadapted to be engaged in the recess defined by the inwardlyformed-lipedge of the casketcasing and an integral bottom flange adapted to abutagainst the floor of the casket casing. The rectangular panels areprovided with lining fabric which is fastened to the top of the upperflange. An interior floor unit rests on the bottom flanges of the panelsthereby further assisting in maintaining the position of the panels. Thefabric may be drawn across the interior face of the panels and thebottom flange and held in place by the interior floor unit or mayotherwise be draped as desired.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bebetter understood by reference to the following detailed description andthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a full couch casket utilizing thelining means of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of a 3,334,392 PatentedAug. 8, 1967 casket utilizing the lining means of the present inventionin one manner.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of a casket utilizingthe lining means of the present invention in another manner.

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of two lining panels of the presentinvention with the lining fabric attached.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG- URE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a cutaway isometric view of a portion of a casket utilizingthe lining means in the same manner as shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 there is shown a casket 11 of the full couchtype provided with lining means of the present invention generallydesignated by the reference numeral 12. It should be understood that thelining means 12 may also be utilized with other types and forms ofcaskets including half couch caskets. The' upholstered efiect presentedby the lining means 12 is readily achieved by unskilled labor at a farlower cost than actual upholstering installed by skilled labor.

In FIGURES 2, 5, and 7 the detachable lining means 12 is shown utilizedin a particular manner. The lining means 12 includes lining panels 13which, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, are rectangular in shape anddimensioned to a length compatible with length dimensions of therespective sides of the casket casing 14. Thus, in FIGURE 4 the panel 13is of shorter length than the panel 13" such that the panel 13 will becompatible with one end of the casket casing 14 While the panel 13" willbe compatible with one longitudinal side of the casket casing. Thepanels 13 are preferably fabricated of corrugated paper board with thecorrugations running transversely of the panels. Other types of materialsuch as non-cor- The casket casing 14 is conventional in structure andis provided in particular with inwardly-formed-lip edges 16 definingrecesses 16a, best shown in FIGURE 5.

The panels 13 are each creased and folded transversely of thecorrugations to include integral upper flanges 15 having widths suchthat the flanges 15 are adapted to be wedged into engagement in the lipedge recesses 16a of the casket casing. In addition, the panels 12 areeach creased and folded longitudinally of the corrugations to includelower flanges 17 extending in the opposite direc tion from the upperflanges 15. i

The lining fabric 18 is preferably fastened to the top of the flange 15by pins, staples, or other fastening members 19. If desired, a singlelength of the lining fabric 18 may be fastened to the upper flanges 15of an end panel 13 and a side panel 13" in the manner depicted in FIG-URE 4. The integral unit can then be readily folded in the requisiteL-shaped configuration and inserted into the casket casing, as depictedin FIGURE 7. Two such integral units would provide the interior walllining for one casket.

Turning again to FIGURES 2, 5, and 7, it is apparent that the liningpanels 13 with the lining fabric 18 fastened to the upper flanges 15 arepositioned in the casket casing 14 by wedging the upper flanges 15 intoengagement in the lip edge recesses 16a of the casket casing and thenforcing the panels 13 into the vertical position illustrated with thelower flanges 17 abutting against the floor 21 of the casket casing. Theheight of the panels 13 may be substantially equal to or may be slightlygreater than the distance from the casing floor 21 to the top of therecesses 16a; in the latter case the panels 13 will resiliently bow orflex slightly inwardly toward the center of the casket, exerting forcesagainst the lip edges 16 and the floor 21 of the casket casing whichassist in maintaining the positioning of the panels 13.

With the panels 13 in position in the casket casing 14, the fabric 18 inFIGURES 2, 5, and 7 is draped downward across the interior faces of thepanels 13 and the bottom flanges 17, and a rectangular interior floormember 22 is inserted so that the bottom ortion of the fabric 18 issecurely sandwiched between the interior floor member 22 and the lowerflanges 17 of the panels 13. In this manner, the desired upholsteredlining effect is easily and quickly achieved by unskilled labor. If apronounced upholstered roll effect is desired, the panels 13 may bepreshaped into the requisite concavo-convex configuration. The interiorfloor member 22 in FIGURES 2, 5, and 7 is preferably fabricated fromcorrugated paper board with the corrugations extending transversely, asbest illustrated in FIGURE 7. It should be noted that the floor member22, by bearing downwardly on the bottom flanges 15 and by preventing thepanels 13 from moving inwardly toward the center of the casket, assistsin maintaining the positioning of the panels 13. A conventional fabriccovered cushion unit (not shown) may now conveniently be placed atop thefloor member 22.

In FIGURES 2, 5, and 7, the lining fabric 18 is depicted drawn acrosssmooth surfaces of the corrugated paper board panels 13. It should beapparent, however, that the surface of the panels 13 may beconfigurated, if desired, so as to readily present an ornamental,upholstered design effect when the lining effect 18 is drawn taut acrossthe configurated surface. In such cases, it may be found preferable todraw the fabric taut and fasten its bottom portion to the lower flanges17 before the panels are inserted in the casing 14.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 6, the lining means 12 are shown utilizedin a different manner. The structural characteristics of the panels 13are the same as in FIGURES 2, 5, and 7 and the fabric material 18 issimilarly fastened to the upper flanges 15. However, a different type ofinterior floor unit is provided in FIGURES 3 and 6, specifically, acushion unit 23 provided with a base 24 and inclined sides 25 preferablyfabricated of corrugated paper board. The cushion unit 23 is packed withexcelsior or other packing material 26 and covered with lining fabric 28drawn across the top of the excelsior and fastened to the upper edges ofthe sides 25. The base 24 of the cushion unit rests on the lower flanges17, thereby assisting in maintaining the positioning of the panels 13.In FIGURES 3 and 6, the lining fabric 18 is draped with the lowerportions fastened to, or resting on, the top of the cushion unit 23, asillustrated.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2, 3, and 7 it is seen that along threesides of the casket casing 14 an additional portion 27 of lining fabricextends from the fastening flange 15 and is draped over the edges of thecasket casing, as depicted in FIGURE 1. As best illustrated in FIGURES 2and 3, the portions 27 of the lining fabric are preferably hemmed and,if found desirable, a paper board member (not shown) may be inserted inthe hem to give a predetermined form to the portions 27.

It should be noted by reference to FIGURES 2, 3, 5, and 6, inparticular, that the carrying handles 31 of the casket are preferablymounted on the casing 14 by bolt and nut or screw fasteners 32. Theportion of the fasteners 32 extending into the interior of the casketcasing 14 assist in positioning the panels 13 by impeding undesiredshifting or flexing of the panels 13 toward the adjacent sides of thecasing 14. This positioning effect of the bolt and nut fasteners 32depends on the length of their extension into the interior of the casketcasing. In some cases, it may be found that a wood strip 33 affixed tothe interior sides of the casing 14 by the fasteners 32 will present amore effective positioning aid for the panels 13. If desired, the panels13 may be fastened directly to the wood strip 33.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shownand described, it is to be understood that this is merely by way ofexample and is in no manner to be considered a limitation. It will beapparent that certain modifications may be made within the scope of theclaims without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example,the lining means may be utilized, particularly for demonstrationpurposes, without fastening the lining fabric 18 to the top of the upperflanges 15 in which case the fabric 18 would be held in place by theupper flanges 15 being wedged into the recesses 16a.

In addition, it may be found desirable in some cases to dimension theheight of the panels 13 so that they extend down to or slightly belowthe wood strip 33 at which point they may be fastened by the staples orthe like directly to the wood strip 33, and the lower portion of thepanel lining fabric 18 as well as the top edges of the side walls 25 ofthe interior crushing unit 23 and its covering fabric 28 might also besimilarly fastened to the wood strip 33.

What is claimed is:

1. In a casket structure which includes a casket casing having a floorand four side walls, each of said side walls terminating at its upperedge in an inwardly-formed lip defining an inverted elongate channelrecess having interior side surfaces and an interior upper surface, thecombination with said casket casing for forming and positioning aportion of the interior lining of said casket structure comprising: atleast one interior side wall panel prefabricated of relatively rigid butresilient material to include an integral upper longitudinal marginalflange which is transversely engaged between said interior side surfacesof one of said channel recesses, and an integral lower longitudinalmarginal flange extending in the opposite direction from said upperflange and abutting against said floor of said casket casing; liningfabric overlaying at least a portion of said interior panel and fastenedto said upper flange so as to be engaged in part between said upperflange of said interior panel and said upper interior surface of saidone channel recess; and an interior floor unit disposed atop of andbearing downwardly on said lower flange of said interior panel so as toanchor the lower region of said interior panel with respect to saidcasket casing and thereby cooperate with said channel recess to maintainsaid interior side wall panel in spaced, substantially parallelorientation with the casket casing side wall associated with said onechannel recess.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said interior panel isfabricated of corrugated paper board with the corrugations extendingtransversely of said panel and perpendicular to said upper and lowerflanges.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein the prefabricatedunrestrained height of said interior panel between said upper flange andsaid lower flange is greater than the distance between said casketcasing floor and said upper interior surface of said one channel recess,said panel being resiliently bowed toward the interior of said casketcasing when inserted in said casket casing.

4. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said lining fabric isfastened to the top of said upper flange.

5. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said interior floor unitcomprises a rectangular member fabricated of corrugated paper board withthe corrugations extending transversely of said member.

-6. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said interior floor unitcomprises a rectangular cushion unit including a base and inclined sidewalls, all fabricated of corrugated paper board, said cushion unit beingfilled with packing material and covered with lining fabric fastened tothe top portions of said cushion unit side walls.

7. The combination defined in claim 1 futher comprising exteriorcarrying handles and means fastening said carrying handles to theexterior of said casket casing side Wall associated with said onechannel recess, said fasten" ing means projecting inwardly so as .toimpede undesired moving and flexing of said lining panel toward saidassociated side wall of said casket casing.

8. The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said lining fabricincludes an upper portion adapted to be draped over the upper edge ofthe side wall associated with said one channel recess.

9. The combination comprising: a casket casing having a floor and fourside walls including four inwardlyforrned-lip edges respectivelydefining four inverted elongate recesses having interior side surfacesand an interior upper surface; four interior panels of rectangular shapeand prefabricated of corrugated paper board with the corrugationsextending transversely of said panels, each of said panels having anupper integral flange extending in one direction and engaged in one ofsaid recesses between said interior side surface thereof and a lowerintegral flange extending in the opposite direction and abutting againstthe floor of said casket casing, the prefabricated unrestrained heightof said interior panel between said upper and lower flanges beinggreater than the spacing between said casket casing floor and said upperinterior surface of the recess in which the upper flange of said panelis engaged such that said panel is resiliently bowed toward the interiorof said casket casing; lining fabric overlaying at least a portion ofeach of said panels and fastened to said upper flanges so as to berespectively disposed in part between said upper flanges and the uppersurfaces of said elongate recesses; and an interior floor unit disposedatop of and bearing downwardly on said lower flanges.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein lower portions of saidlining fabric are engaged respectively between said interior floor unitand said lower flanges.

11. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said interior floor unitcomprises a rectangular cushion unit and wherein lower portions of saidlining fabric are draped atop of said cushion unit.

12. An interior side wall panel for casket casings having a floor andside walls having inwardly-formed-lip top rims defining an invertedrespective elongate channel recess having interior side surfaces and aninterior upper surface, said interior lining unit comprising: a recvtangular panel prefabricated of corrugated paperboard with thecorrugations extending transversely of said panel, said panel having afirst longitudinal crease and fold to form an integral marginal upperflange in said panel to which lining fabric is adapted to be fastenedand which is adapted to be transversely engaged between said interiorside surfaces of one of said channel recesses, said panel having asecond longitudinal crease and fold to form a lower integral marginalflange which extends in the opposite direction from said upper flangefor abutment against said floor of said casket casing, the spacing between said first crease and fold and said second crease and fold beingpreselected to cause said panel to resiliently bow when said upperflange is transversely engaged in one of said channel recesses and saidlower flange is in abutment with the floor of said casket casing.

13. In a casket structure which includes a casket casing having a floorand four side walls, each of said side walls terminating at its upperedge in an inwardlyformed lip defining an inverted elongate channelrecess having interior side surfaces and an interior upper surface, thecombination with said casket casing for forming and positioning aportion of the interior lining of said casket structure comprising: atleast one interior side wall panel of corrugated paperboard with thecorrugations extending transversely of said panel and prefab-ricated toinclude an integral upper marginal flange extending longitudinally ofsaid panel perpendicularly of said corrugations which is transverselyengaged between said interior side surfaces of one of said channelrecesses; lining fabric overlaying at least a portion of said interiorpanel and fastened to said upper flange of said interior panel so as tobe disposed in part between said upper flange and said upper interiorsurface of said one channel recess; and means anchoring the bottomregion of said interior side wall panel with respect to said casketcasing and thereby cooperating with said chanel recess to maintain saidinterior side wall panel in spaced, substantially parallel orientationwith the casket casing side wall associated with said one channelrecess.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 290,996 -12/18 83 Nierstheirner276 2,943,376 7/1960 Bashuk 2719 3,233,302. 2/ 1966 Ross 2719 RICHARD A.GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

W. E. KAMM, Assistant Examiner.

12. AN INTERIOR SIDE WALL PANEL FOR CASKET CASING HAVING A FLOOR ANDSIDE WALLS HAVING INWARDLY-FORMED-LIP TOP RIMS DEFINING AN INVERTEDRESPECTIVE ELONGATE CHANNEL RECESS HAVING INTERIOR SIDE SURFACES AND ANINTERIOR UPPER SURFACE, SAID INTERIOR LINING UNIT COMPRISING: ARECTANGULAR PANEL PREFABRICATED TO CORRUGATED PAPERBOARD WITH THECORRUGATIONS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PANEL, SAID PANEL HAVING AFIRST LONGITUDINAL CREASE AND FOLD TO FORM AN INTEGRAL MARGINAL UPPERFLANGE IN SAID PANEL TO WHICH LINING FABRIC IS ADAPTED TO BE FASTENEDAND WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE TRANSVERSELY ENGAGED BETWEEN SAID INTERIORSIDE SURFACES OF ONE OF SAID CHANNEL RECESSES, SAID PANEL HAVING ASECOND LONGITUDINAL CREASE AND FOLD TO FORM A LOWER INTEGRAL MARGINALFLANGE WHICH EXTENDS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM SAID UPPER FLANGEFOR ABUTMENT AGAINST SAID FLOOR OF SAID CASKET CASING, THE SPACINGBETWEEN SAID FIRST CREASE AND FOLD AND SAID SECOND CREASE AND FOLD BEINGPRESELECTED TO CAUSE SAID PANEL TO RESILIENTLY BOW WHEN SAID UPPERFLANGE IS TRANSVERSELY ENGAGED IN ONE OF SAID CHANNEL RECESSES AND SAIDLOWER FLANGE IS IN ABUTMENT WITH THE FLOOR OF SAID CASKET CASING.